Neighbourhood Watch – High Street Section – May 2017

18 May 2017

Dear Residents,

We have had several Police messages so far this month- too many to send round all in full. Some are about burglaries, including more jewellery thefts, distraction burglaries, and rogue traders posing as utilities workers or firms such as Prestige Landscapes and Prestige Jet Washing. There is also an important warning about dogs worrying sheep in the Charfield/Laddenbrook area (below). There have been successful prosecutions for bag snatches in Kingswood (Bristol) and a break-in at the Shireway Community Centre in Yate.

Please take care about security of homes, sheds and garages and about doorstep callers.

May we remind everyone about he NhW meeting on 25th at 7.30 in the Olive Pollard Room at the Community Centre.

Dog Walkers and Animal Safety

Police are asking dog owners to keep their pets under control after reports of ewes being lost in sheep-worrying incidents in the Charfield and Ladden Brook beat area. Since Thursday 20 April beat manager PC 1269 Lee Bainbridge has been made aware of four sheep dying after incidents involving dogs. She said: “Please, when you’re heading out for a country walk with your dog/s, stick to footpaths and keep them on a lead – even if there is no livestock in that field, there may be animals in a neighbouring pasture which your dog could reach before you can stop them.”

PC Bainbridge explained: “Having dogs running round in a field of sheep can stress a pregnant ewe and cause them to lose their lambs, while a dog attack can easily kill a sheep. Even the most friendly, placid dog can be unpredictable when faced with a field of sheep. It’s just not worth the risk, as your family pet could be destroyed if it’s found to be responsible for the death of livestock, while you could face significant vets’ bills and prosecution.” PC Bainbridge said the incidents had happened in different locations on her beat, which ranges from Charfield to Iron Acton and Cromhall to Wickwar, but this advice applies to all dog walkers in rural areas.

The Avon and Somerset Police Rural Crime Team recommends:

Always checking for livestock in fields when walking your dog/s

Always making sure you shut gates behind you

When in or near fields with livestock, keep your dog(s) on a lead and under control at all times. The only time you should release your dog is in the event of being chased by cattle. By restraining the dog in this circumstance you put yourself at risk of being injured

If you live near livestock and own a dog/s make sure that your property andgardens are secure, so your pets cannot escape

NFU Mutual estimated that over 18,500 animals were killed or injured in dog attacks in 2015 at a cost of £1.1m to farmers.